Obituary: Betty Koenen

Betty Koenen, 73, of Willmar, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Bethesda Pleasant View in Willmar. Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 17, at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City with burial in the church cemetery. ...

By Staff reports

Granite Falls Advocate Tribune

By Staff reports

Posted May. 24, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 24, 2012 at 7:08 PM

By Staff reports

Posted May. 24, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 24, 2012 at 7:08 PM

Betty Koenen, 73, of Willmar, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Bethesda Pleasant View in Willmar. Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 17, at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City with burial in the church cemetery.

Betty Lou Koenen was born on July 19, 1938, in Lakefield, the daughter of Albert J, and Mathilda D. (Bisping) Miller. She was baptized on February 5, 1939 in Lakefield and confirmed in the Christian faith on May 13, 1951, at Riverside Lutheran Church in Dawson. She attended elementary school through eighth grade in Lac qui Parle County country schools, District #28 and graduated from Dawson High School on May 31, 1956. Before her marriage to Stanley Koenen on June 18, 1960, Betty worked for Montgomery Ward Department Store in Montevideo in 1956, State Farm Insurance Company in St. Paul, the V-Store in Clara City and Dr. C. L. Peterson, Optometrist, in Montevideo. Later, Betty also sold Tupperware products and was an Avon representative. In 1986, Betty divorced and moved to Willmar, where she attended Willmar Community College. She graduated on May 24, 1989 and soon after, began working for Southern Minnesota Sugar Co-op, Renville, in the lab as a computer entry technician. She was then employed in computer sales entry in the Pals division of Willmar Poultry Company on December 13, 1989 and on August 16, 1992 began working as a Walmart associate and eventually in the Bureau of Collections. Until her failing health forced her retirement, she had worked for Walmart for 16 years. Betty enjoyed gardening and planting flowers. She also enjoyed going to dances, attending her grandchildren’s school activities, and reading. She was a member of Bethany Reformed Church and actively served in Mission Circle. She cherished the time spent visiting with her grandchildren, family and friends and was always willing to work hard and help others.